Strainer and cleaner for paint rollers



1953 E. A, MENCFELDOWSKI, JR 2,659,096

' STRAINER AND CLEANER FOR PAINT ROLLERS Filed March 24, 1950 InventorEDWARD AfiENCFELMW- IR Attorney Patented Nov. 17, 1953 STRAINER ANDCLEANER FOR PAINT ROLLERS- Edward A. Mencfeldowski, Jr., Milwaukee, Wis.

Application March 24, 1950, Serial No. 151,647

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a strainer and cleaner for paintrollers and it consists in the combinations, constructions andarrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a strainer and cleaner for paint rollers andit consists of a simple, preferably rectangular, frame having a rigidmetal screen afiixed within the same and having a handle for raising andlowering the device with respect to the bottom of a paintholding tray.Novel means is provided for bolding the device in the tray in a positionabove the level of the paint contained therein for reasons hereinafterset forth.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture and yet effective and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel supportingmeans for a strainer of the character set forth.

A further object of the inventionis the provision of novel means, in adevice of the character set forth, for applying paint to and forcleaning a paint roller.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification taken in conjunction with thedrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of an embodiment ofthe invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the device shown inFigure 1 immersed in paint in a tray forming a part of the invention,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the strainer inraised position in the tray,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form the invention mayassume,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing in use the modifiedform of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 3 but likewise showing in use themodification of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a still further modification of theinvention, and

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9of Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein atray having sides I 0, ends II and I2 and a sloping bottom I3 which issupported by feet l4 adjacent the end I I.

There is also provided a strainer and cleaner comprising a substantiallyrectangular frame I5 preferably formed of a single piece of wire weldedat its ends, as indicated at it, and to which is afiixed in any suitablemanner a rigid screen l1.

At one end of the frame is a substantially U-shaped handle 18 the sidesof which are bent around the frame to form hinges, as shown at I9, andwhich terminate in legs 20 which are positioned on the underside of thescreen H.

In the operation of this form of the invention, it will .be seen that aquantity of paint 2| is placed in the tray in an amount sufficient tocover the screen l1 when the sides of the legs 20 are moved to aposition abutting the underside of the screen. A paint roller 22 is thenmoved by means of the handle 23 back and forth over the upper side ofthe screen I! to cover the same with paint, it being apparent that thescreen I! will furnish traction for the turning of the roller so thatall portions thereof may have paint applied thereto a difficult featwhere no such additional traction is furnished.

Thereafter the handle I8 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed,for example, in Figure 2, thus causing the legs 20 to move likewise in aclockwise direction until the ends only of the legs 20 engage with thetray thus causing the screen I! to be lifted to a position above thelevel of the paint as shown in Figure 3. While the screen is held inthis position by one hand of the operator, the roller 22 is againreciprocated over the screen I! by manipulating the handle 23 with hisother hand to thus remove any excess paint from the roller. The rollermay now be applied to the surface to be painted without fear of paintdripping or spattering therefrom.

When a painting operation has been completed, whatever .paint is left inthe tray may be poured therefrom into paint containers and the traywiped comparatively clean. A paint solvent may then be placed in thetray after which the strainer may be immersed in such solvent and theroller again reciprocated ithereover to thus clean the tray, thestrainer and the roller.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, theframe I8 has integrally formed therewith at one end thereof an upwardlyextending handle 30 to which a dependent arm 3| is adjustably connectedby means of a bolt 32 and wing nut 33.

The operation of this form of the invention is identical with that abovedescribed with respect to the form of the invention illustrated inFigures 1 to 3, inclusive, with the exception that when it is desired toraise and hold the screen I! out of the paint 2] it is only necessary tolift the same by means of the handle 30 and hook the arm 3| over the endl2 of the tray to thereby support the same.

In Figures 8 and 9, a further modification of the invention is shown. Inthis form, a handle 40 is formed integrally with one end of the frame [5and a pair of hooks 4| is spot-welded or otherwise afiixed to the frame,one at either side of the handle 40. v

The operation of this form of the invention is identical described withrelation to the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 7,inclusive.

While but three forms of the invention have been shown and describedherein, it will-be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatmany minor modifications thereof may be made without departing from thespirit of the-invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What isclaimed is:

l. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, atray for holding paint, a fiat strainer, a handle at one end of thestrainer, and means associated with the handle for holding a substantialportion of said strainer out of Contact with said paint,- said handlebeing pivoted to said strainer and said means comprising a pair orstraight dependent legs integrally formed with said handle and adaptedto have the sides thereof bear against the bottom of the tray andagainst the bottom of said strainer when the handle is rotated in onedirection whereby to 35 4 immerse said strainer in said paint and tohave the ends thereof abut the bottom of the tray when said handle isrotated in the opposite direction whereby to lift said strainer out ofsaid paint.

'2. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, atray for holding paint and having a sloping bottom, legs for support ingthe higher end of the tray, a strainer of generally flat construction, ahandle at one end of the strainer, and means associated with the handlefor holding a substantial portion of said strainer out of contact withsaid paint, said handle being pivoted to said strainer adjacent the deepend of said tray and said means comprising a pair of integrally formeddependent straight legs adapted to have the sides thereof bear againstthe deeper portion of the bottom of the tray and against the bottom ofsaid strainer when the handle is rotated in one direction whereby toimmerse said strainer said paint and to have the ends thereof abut thebot tom of the tray when said handle is rotated the opposite directionwherebyto lift said strain er out of said paint.

EDWARD A.- MENCFELDOWSKI, JR;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,285,943 Cook Nov. 26', leis 1,813,670 Kessler July 7, 19312,255,091 Vaughn Sept. 9, 19 1i 2,490,546 Rubin Dec. 6, 1949

